Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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1712. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the CLÁR programme in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of projects funded each year under the programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37277/17]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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1747. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the CLÁR programme each year since 2011; and the number of projects funded under the programme. [38417/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1712 and 1747 together.

The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. CLÁR was effectively closed to new applications from 2010 and any funding provided over the period 2011-2015 was in respect of commitments made prior to 2010.

I re-launched the CLÁR programme in 2016, and €8.293 million was allocated to 651 successful projects last year.

The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched in March of this year, with a closing date of 5 May.  In total, more than 500 applications were received and 231 successful projects were approved for funding, to a value of just under €7 million.

Table 1 provides details of the total funding provided and/or allocated through the CLÁR programme each year from 2011 to 2017.  All funding provided over the period 2011-2015 was in respect of earlier commitments made under different Departmental configurations.

Table 1 – Funding provided under the CLÁR programme 2011-2015